Melissa Richmond murder trial wraps up first week

OTTAWA – The first week for the murder trial of a Canadian soldier charged with killing his wife from Winchester has wrapped up.

Howard Richmond, 52, has pleaded not guilty to the first-degree murder charge in the death of his 28-year-old wife Melissa Richmond.

The warrant officer with the Canadian Armed Forces has admitted to the killing her but his lawyers will argue he is not criminally responsible because he was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) from his military tours.

The Winchester woman was reported missing by her husband on July 25, 2013.

Her body was found in a ditch near the South Keys Shopping Center three days later.

She had been stabbed to death.

The Ottawa court heard from an O.P.P. officer who testified he had uncovered the fact Melissa had been having an affair.

The Crown is arguing that Richmond was upset his wife was having an affair.

The court has also heard from the restaurant employee who found her body and Melissa Richmond’s mother.